Community
20 December, 2025
Paramedic swaps tallest for smallest mountain
And while it wasn’t quite like her trek up Mount Everest back in May, mountaineer Alison Bowen was keen to conquer the smallest registered mountain in the world too.
AS SHE began the ascent of Mount Wycheproof, the novelty had worn off for paramedic and avid climber Alison Bowen.
And while it wasn’t quite like her trek up Mount Everest back in May, Ms Bowen was keen to conquer the smallest registered mountain in the world too.
She was the special guest that helped the Friends of the Mount Wycheproof celebrate their annual International Mountain Day on Sunday, with an event full of stories of her many climbs and the unveiling of something special.
As she stood at the base of Mount Wycheproof, she said she would treat this climb like any other, going through the usual motions. “I would usually look at what the weather will be like - and today I think we’ve picked the right weather window,” she said.
“While it will be very windy making our ascent from base camp, I think we will be able to use that wind to our advantage.
“I think the best approach will be completing an alpine summit - which means we start and don’t stop until we reach the top.”
All fun and games aside, Ms Bowen made the steep trek up the hill, where she was met by locals, Buloke Shire mayor Graeme Milne and representatives from GWM Water.
After being presented with a few pieces of memorabillia - including an original Queen of the Mount shirt from the 1980s - Ms Bowen helped FoMW president Martin Duke and the GWM Water communications team unveil a commemorative mural board that will celebrate the spirit of mountain communities globally.
Usually celebrated on December 11, International Mountain Day raises awareness of the importance of mountains across everyday life in communities, to highlight the opportunities and constraints and to build alliances that will bring positive change to communities and environments around the world.
Read More: Local